Rick Steves Warns Travelers About This Overhyped English Destination

When it comes to European travel, few voices are as trusted as Rick Steves. With countless guidebooks and TV and radio shows to his name, Steves knows Europe from top to tail. One place he loves is England, writing on his site, "From the grandeur and bustle of London, to the pastoral countryside that inspired Wordsworth, to some of the quaintest towns you'll ever experience, England delights." But not all English destinations are created equal, according to Steves, and there's at least one iconic spot he recommends you skip. Land's End, the southwesternmost point in England, makes Steves' list of the top European tourist traps.

Land's End is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) at the tip of the English county of Cornwall — a relatively warm and sunny place for a U.K. vacation. At Land's End, you'll find a stunning, rocky headland with 200-foot-high cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, and the rolling green countryside England is famous for. Sounds glorious, right? But sadly, that's not all you'll find there. As Steves writes: "It's a tacky tourist trap where greedy businesses have chewed up whatever small bit of charm or authenticity this place might once have had." Ouch!

Why does Rick Steves think Land's End is so tacky? While the cliffs and lush fields are attractive, Land's End also has many attractions aimed primarily at kids, including a 4-D Jolly Roger Experience and an adventure golf course. As the tourist information site, Visit Cornwall, notes: "Children will love the 'theme park' atmosphere, whilst many adults might prefer to avoid it." If you're traveling with kids, the mix of entertainment and natural beauty might make Land's End worth a stop.

Even the iconic signpost with arms pointing toward New York and John O'Groats (in the far north of Scotland) comes with a catch. Taking a photo with the sign will cost you (though you may be able to snap one for free outside of business hours). Steves sums up his opinion bluntly: "Come here only if you want to be able to say you've been to Land's End. (Consider lying)."

For a more authentic experience without the commercial distractions, consider visiting nearby Lizard Point. Renowned for its rugged beauty, this peninsula boasts towering cliffs, turquoise seas, and serene coves. It's even home to one of the best under-the-radar beaches in Europe, offering a quieter and more picturesque alternative to Land's End. Lizard Point is also the most southerly point in mainland Britain, so it still offers some bragging rights while avoiding a tourist trap.